The Port of Savannah is about to expand its network. It's launching the 'Mason Mega Rail Project', and officials say it will extend cargo rail service to the Midwest. The Mason Mega Rail project will allow direct rail service to cities like St. Louis and Chicago, and locals are supposed to benefit from it as well. It's a project that means more all around- more chances for cargo ships to load additional containers, a bigger rail capacity, and even more jobs."Many of our residents are employed in port related businesses, and the young people in our community are showing interest in following their parents footsteps as they embark on their careers. The city also has many port related businesses that call Garden City home," said Mayor Don Bethune. The rail project has already started. It will ax the need for companies like CSX and Norfolk Southern to use rail layovers, and trains will be able to directly ship to the Midwest."These are all areas that will all be serviced through the Georgia Ports because of our rail connectivity, and that's where the nation is growing, manufacturing is growing, and they need a way to get to the ports. We're going to be that way," said GPA executive director Griff Lynch. It will take an estimated 200,000 trucks off the road statewide every year. Garden City residents will also see a major difference- with train routes being removed from residential neighborhoods and redirected. "The trains that are now bisecting Garden City will go around it as a result of that. That's a critical part of the project, and really the first driver for us to get off the ground," said Lynch.Bridge structures are already being constructed, and officials say as soon as 2019, rail customers will started seeing results with higher rail capacities. The total cost of the project is $126 million. This project will double the Port of Savannah's rail capacity to 1 million container lifts per year.

Garden City, Ga (WJCL) —

The Port of Savannah is about to expand its network.

It's launching the 'Mason Mega Rail Project', and officials say it will extend cargo rail service to the Midwest.

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The Mason Mega Rail project will allow direct rail service to cities like St. Louis and Chicago, and locals are supposed to benefit from it as well.

It's a project that means more all around- more chances for cargo ships to load additional containers, a bigger rail capacity, and even more jobs.

"Many of our residents are employed in port related businesses, and the young people in our community are showing interest in following their parents footsteps as they embark on their careers. The city also has many port related businesses that call Garden City home," said Mayor Don Bethune.

The rail project has already started.

It will ax the need for companies like CSX and Norfolk Southern to use rail layovers, and trains will be able to directly ship to the Midwest.

"These are all areas that will all be serviced through the Georgia Ports because of our rail connectivity, and that's where the nation is growing, manufacturing is growing, and they need a way to get to the ports. We're going to be that way," said GPA executive director Griff Lynch.

It will take an estimated 200,000 trucks off the road statewide every year.

Garden City residents will also see a major difference- with train routes being removed from residential neighborhoods and redirected.

"The trains that are now bisecting Garden City will go around it as a result of that. That's a critical part of the project, and really the first driver for us to get off the ground," said Lynch.

Bridge structures are already being constructed, and officials say as soon as 2019, rail customers will started seeing results with higher rail capacities.

The total cost of the project is $126 million.

This project will double the Port of Savannah's rail capacity to 1 million container lifts per year.